Essaouira is a coastal town in western Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean, situated south-west of Safi and Casablanca and north of Agadir. A fantastic destination for birdwatchers, particularly thanks to its combination of wetlands, dunes and the Atlantic coast. The coastal and wading birds are various species of herons, gulls, terns and waders. Also the small islands off the coast of Essaouira are a protected nature reserve.